Dress Shirt Fabrics Overview - Larimars.com

Fabric is probably the most important element to consider while shopping for a dress shirt since it determines the overall look and feel. However, choosing one specific fabric type among dozens of available options could be quite intimidating. 

Thus, to help you out, today we are going to jot down a brief Dress Shirt Fabrics Overview. The guide will cover the most common types of shirt fabric, how each of these looks and feels against your body, suitability according to weather and lifestyle, wearability, and unique make-up, including weave and weight. So, let's begin!

Dress shirt fabrics overview

Cotton

Known as the most popular dress shirt fabric, cotton is topping our list due to its unmatched breathability, versatility, comfort, and year-round wearability. Perfect for all-day wear, cotton dress shirts can be used for both formal and casual occasions. 

The best part is that there are numerous types of cotton which vary from each other in appearance, feel, and breathability. This way, you can get yourself a cotton shirt that exactly matches your needs. For example, twill is an excellent choice for those looking for a soft fabric which drapes gracefully across their abs. On the other hand, Oxford is perfect for busy days as it's more rugged and heavier. 

Likewise, for warmer weather, poplin is ideal as it not only possesses amazing moisture-wicking properties but is also lightweight. Another reason why cotton dress shirts are considered the best workwear is because they are easy to care for and highly affordable. The fabric can hold dye for a lifetime without looking faded. 

The only downside is that cotton shirts are more prone to getting wrinkled easily. Also, the fabric tends to shrink if washed and dry at high temperatures. Therefore, it's advised to always tumble dry and iron your cotton dress shirts on low heat settings and wash in cold water. 

Linen

Made from the fibres of flax plants, linen is the most organic and hypoallergenic option out there. Due to being super breathable and lightweight, linen dress shirts are usually preferred in hot and humid regions. Besides, linen fabric can absorb more than 18% of its weight of sweat while suppressing the foul odour. 

Linen shirts, due to their elegant drape and classic finish, make a perfect choice for formal and semi-formal occasions. According to research, linen is around 30% stronger than cotton and other blended fabrics which makes it less prone to premature tearing. The additional durability and strength of the fabric prevent your linen dress shirt from fraying or ripping due to your daily workload. 

However, these shirts, like all other options, may get dirty when used regularly but thankfully, these are super easy to wash and dry. Linen shirts are machine washable but you can also handwash them with warm water. 

Unlike cotton, linen is less prone to shrinking, so washing and drying it in a high-temperature setting is not a problem. You can even dry your linen shirts in the direct sunlight. Although linen can get wrinkled very easily, ironing it to unlock a crisp finish doesn't take much time. 

Poplin

Poplin, AKA broadcloth, is a synthetic fabric made by loosely weaving the fibres of cotton, wool, silk and other synthetic fabrics. This unique weave results in a crisp yet soft finish with a ribbed texture, making the poplin fabric both breathable and lasting. 

The major reason why poplin is a popular dress shirt fabric is because it's lightweight, cool on skin, and wrinkle resistant so you can wear it during the hottest and most strenuous days of the year. Also, poplin is a low-maintenance fabric type which doesn't stain easily and wash and dry effortlessly. Due to the loose weave, the odour doesn't stick in the fabric for long and washes out easily. 

All these properties of poplin fabric make it super versatile and extremely suitable for everyday business looks, formal events, and ceremonies. 

The only downside of poplin dress shirts is that these could be slightly transparent - especially the white poplin shirts. So, you always need to wear these with a vest or undershirt. Without a vest, poplin can also stick to your sweaty skin. 

Oxford

Featuring a symmetrical basket weave, oxford fabric is known for its slightly rough texture. Oxford is not a fabric type but a special weave pattern with which cotton fibres are woven together. So Oxford shirts, which feature 100% cotton yarns, tend to be super breathable, soft, and low maintenance. 

Since the Oxford cloth was created for sportsmen, it's quite more durable and shearproof than many other fabric types. However, the rugged feel and rough appearance of this cloth also make Oxford the least dressier dress shirt fabric. 

Some other types of Oxford cloth also do exist which include pinpoint Oxford and Royal Oxford. Royal Oxford, AKA pretty fabric, features a distinctive texture and shine, making it most suitable for formal settings. 

Speaking of pinpoint Oxford then, it stands somewhere between Royal Oxford and Oxford cloth. It features finer yarns which are woven tightly. This, in turn, makes pinpoint Oxford heavier and less transparent than Poplin, enabling you to use these as your everyday workwear. 

Besides, oxford shirts can also be worn with men's suits for business meetings, weddings, and family gatherings. Since Oxford is weightier and heavier than other dress shirt fabrics, it's better to wear in cooler months.